Looking for any ideas on a '95 Taco 2.4L auto with AC. Drove vehicle for 11 years, then used it less after getting a Highlander. Truck always ran well. Truck sat for a while. About a month ago, put a new battery in, checked all fluid etc and started her up - no problems. Cold AC, everything great. Ran it, stopped and started half a dozen time and also let it run for 30 min. at at a time. Brakes were a little mushy, (they had been before) so i jacked up the car and bled the lines. Manual stated to start the car while lifted so engine vacuum could be used for the brake testing etc. But the car would no longer start. This is where it is strange, when turning the ignition key, the starter turns, the fan blade turns, the belts turn but there is no "load", its like the pistons are not being moved. I have had situations where a car will not start, but you could tell the whole engine was turning over, just not firing or catching. This is different. The starter just whines while the belts and such turn. I thought the starter went so I replaced it - same problem, no difference. Belts turn, pulleys turn but its not right. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your input. I was afraid it might be the timing chain - I will pull the covers and see what I can see. Question: is it a tough job to replace the chain? Any special tools needed or things to expect? Haven't torn down an engine since I re-worked my '74 Plymouth Gold Duster - ahh what a car!

Thanks for your input. I was afraid it might be the timing chain - I will pull the covers and see what I can see. Question: is it a tough job to replace the chain? Any special tools needed or things to expect? Haven't torn down an engine since I re-worked my '74 Plymouth Gold Duster - ahh what a car!

Any other ideas greatly appreciated.

RP

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well it depends because of the timing chain breaking if parts of the motor are broken. It shouldnt be too hard to do your self just make sure you get the timing right.

Will do. Thank you for your advice - very helpful. Just don't understand why there would be such a dramatic engine failure. Only 120K on the vehicle, always maintained, car was running great. I had started it to charge the battery a bit before working on the brakes, ran perfect for 10-15 minutes, shut it off, then did the brakes. After, nothing, it just quit.

One more question: Will I have to pull the head off to replace the chain?